I just wanted to take a moment to pass on something that worked quite well at SUN, even though there is still a learning curve. I "stole" this idea from the Cape Cod girls, who may or may not have gotten it from somewhere else, but.....

Some of you may know how strongly I feel about Traveling Event boxes being dumped on a table at an event. At one of my first events, I missed ALL the planted boxes and missed out on meeting great people because I "cluelessly" planted myself at one of these tables and spent the entire day stamping in to these ridiculous things. Frankly, I think they are Selfish Boxes..carved and sent by people who can't be bothered to attend a gather, but want the time, attention and signature stamps of everyone who took the time to actually show up. They expect the host or others to mail the damn things back to them and get all pissed off if one disappears or inadvertently gets damaged. Bah!

So this is where the grand experiment comes in. At Sun, based on an idea from the Cape Cod event, we used a small bulletin board, and made markers, index cards and tacks available to anyone who brought a traveling event box, or other day-only box. The rule was, if you brought it..you had to hide it...and provide a clue on the board. Attendees would check the board, take down the clue card, find the box, stamp in, and then return the box to it's hiding spot and the card to the board. This gave everyone a chance for the thrill of the hunt, and allowed people to figure out just how many boxes were still out there to find. Granted, some people unfortunately passed a box on to the next person at a table without putting the card back up, but for the most part, people "got" the concept and appreciated having some indoor finds. I think there is still a learning curve for using the board, but I expect next year will be much easier for people now that most have had a taste of this kind of thing.

Even better, I listed all my boxes of this type as Traditional Plants, as they were HIDDEN and required someone to FIND them. This way people who decided not to venture out into the cold could still add some finds to their online find count. Traveling Event boxes do not count as online finds, which I find perfectly acceptable..as there is no FINDING, if you just pick it off of a table. I can decide to retire boxes like this, or bring them to another gather and HIDE them and write NEW clues!

We DID have some traditional traveling event boxes....4 of the Boch's Circus and Cyclonic's eeevil Davy Jone's Locker. But the Boch's Circus were icebreakers for Friday night..and I did not let them out of my sight. I asked SPECIFICALLY for those boxes to be sent and agreed to take complete responsibility for them..especially since their owner, Scarab..had to cancel out at the last moment. Cyclonic made a grand entrance with that Locker...and there was no way you could have hidden that thing! LOL It didn't matter, because you couldn' t open it until you had solved many clues....so it was the same thing as hiding it! He graciously manned the table and answered questions about the locker..and I know many had fun trying to solve it.

MinPin Lovers also sent a Mittens box to be hidden as a day-only when she had to cancel. It was cleverly concealed, ahd it's own clue and handler, and really fit the theme of the event. Even Sahalie's "Battlefield Betty" had to be hidden and found by guests!

I know everyone can do their own thing, but I hope this is a style that catches on. I got a lot of praise for this idea and it's cheap and easy to do.

LW PhD
"Nice Counts"

I remember posting that we were going to try this. I don't know if I ever posted how it went......

I believe this was an original idea worked out by a couple of us. I don't remember having heard the idea before, but who am I to say that no one else had done it before we did??? I don't know for sure.

Anyone could bring a box to the event - our only rule was it HAD to be hidden and clues provided. We provided index cards, pins and markers. Other guests could find them or not. There was not the frenzied free-for-all craziness to get all the boxes on the tables. The boxes counted as finds b/c they were hidden. We didn't have to babysit/worry about/mail back any of them and most people took them when they left, unless they decided to make it a permanent plant. Our event was outdoors, so I don't think we had any problems with boxes being passed from person to person at tables, but I can't say that I know that for sure.

Many people mentioned to us how relaxing the event was, which was a very important goal that we wanted to achieve. Overall, we were very satisfied with the results and plan to use it again this year.

LW, it was actually your experience with not having TE boxes at Sun last year that prompted us to work this out. We really didn't want to be overloaded with them either, but we knew you had been given a hard time by some boxers that wanted to have TE boxes there. We tried to think of a way to make our guests and ourselves happy and keep ourselves from going crazy! There's enough to do/worry about when planning an event! So, we should thank you for sharing your experience. It helped us to work this out! If you have any ideas on how to improve the process, we'd love to hear them!!!

Mumma & Bunny Boy =D

That is a good idea. We may try that at our event in August.

Thanks for the idea

Thanks for writing, Mamma...I have no idea who came up with it either, but I know I heard it from the Cape girls. Great minds think alike, eh?

I want people to know that is it UNACCOMPANIED event boxes that I have a problem with. If you all wanna bring 'em and be responsible for 'em and not tie up people so they miss classes, dinner, rides, games, raffles, etc.....go for it. This is why I think the after-events and pre-events are so helpful. They are the PERFECT time for these, because away from the hectic search on the trails for boxes, this gives people time to meet, talk and share stamps without worrying about missing out on anything.

The hiding of event/day-only boxes makes it a heck of a lot more fun..and the cards at least helped you keep track of them all! I agree, it made for a much more relaxing event. Thanks again!

LW PhD
"Nice Counts"

One thing-- I have been to a few events and they all had event boxes on the tables. The part about not tying up folks so they misses classes, dinners, etc really falls on the boxer, not the owner of the box.

I'm glad this went well for you too, LW. I know that part of the idea started forming when funhog mentioned that she always allowed event boxes as long as they were hidden and clues were written.

I've heard horror stories (well, horror to a letterboxer, probably not normal folk) of people not stamping into event box's logbooks, things going missing among everything else on the table and I know that everyone ends up missing things by either watching over their box or trying to get them all.

Well the problem is, Goonies...that over half the boxers that attend NY events are brand spanking new to gathers..and some to letterboxing too. They have NO idea what the protocol is. I sure know I didn't when I started. I sat and stamped, and missed the group photo, the planted boxes etc and things at the event were really spread out. I don't think it's up to a boxer attending a gathering to know what the heck is going on. I think it's up to the planner/host(s) to let them know what is going on and available so they can decide how to spend their time. Someone who just mails an event box to a host has no idea what is happening at that event...and shouldn't expect that their box gets ANY action..as there may be classes, workshops, games, etc going on.

I try very hard to give LOTS of updates before my events so people can plan....even the new ones. It helps build up the anticipation and even gets people paired up with others before the event!

LW PhD
"Nice Counts"

Keeping participants as informed as possible is the best way to go. "Yes, there are all these these easy stamps here, but remember to plan your day well so you get to enjoy all of the activities." I remember with my first event, I was so new I felt almost ackward being around so many folks that knew what they were doing. TYhey were sitting around stamping and exchanging and I did know if it was ok to join them. Thank goodness I met the Lzay Letterboxer and her husband out on the trail. They made me feel very welcomedand the ice was broken. Now I just love events. ok... enough chatting... got to plan an event :)

This has been standard practice at the local letterboxing camp outs for at least the last 3 years here in the PNW. Any box that you bring to plant gets planted and the clues put on the table or bulletin board etc in card format. You can either copy it down or take the card and put it back when you're done.

I have always really enjoyed it.

Maiden

So you're saying we right coasters are just catching up? *grin*

LW Phd
"Nice Counts"

<quote >Any box that you bring to plant gets planted</quote >

If and when these boxes are listed on AQ, are they listed as traditional boxes so that the finds are included in an F-count, or are they listed as event boxes that do not count that way?

I know that many of you don't care about the count, and that's your preference, but some do. For the sake of those that count, I wanted to know how these boxes are listed.

Thanks,
Mama Cache

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are they listed as traditional boxes so that the finds are included in an F-count, or are they listed as event boxes that do not count that way?

I will be attending my first gathering next week. I plan to list one as a traditional find even though it will travel with me to all events.

1) If I send a box to be permanently planted, I count it as a traditional plant so that finders get the count. (Ex. How Much Is that Doggie In the Letterbox?)

2) If I debut a carving at an event and share it with others, but intend to plant it soon, I count it as a traditional and they get to count it as such as well. (Ex. Drop the PZ Cut and Nobody Gets Hurt!)

3) If I bring a stamp as a day only box and just lay it on a table..with no intent to plant it later, it's an event stamp. ( Ex. Letterboxers Gone Wild)

4) If I bring a day only box to an event and HIDE IT so that finders actually do some work, then I count it as a traditional plant and they can get count it as a traditional find. ( Ex. Demented Valentines)

I may be changing # 4 though, as I still find an awful lot of people who just accept a box passed to them, without trying to find if it needs to be rehidden or not..and then blindly pass it to another person as well. I posted the clues for the Demented Valentines, and some peopel were quite good about finding them, stamping in and rehiding...but by the late afternoon they had been just dumped on an event table and everyone and their brother was stamping into them. Not what I would call a traditional find...sigh.

The whole reason I bring these "traditional" boxes was because they were going to winter events where, because of questionable weather, some boxers would not be able to go outside to actually FIND something. This kind of gave them a little insurance that they would earn a few adds to their find count, as they would be obligated to do some work for these. Unfortunately, it doesn't end up that way. So I may drop this idea and/or just post them as event stamps.

LW PhD
"Nice Counts"

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The whole reason I bring these "traditional" boxes was because they were going to winter events where, because of questionable weather, some boxers would not be able to go outside to actually FIND something. This kind of gave them a little insurance that they would earn a few adds to their find count, as they would be obligated to do some work for these. Unfortunately, it doesn't end up that way. So I may drop this idea and/or just post them as event stamps.

This is what happened this last weekend. I put out four boxes that needed to be "found". I put in the clues that I would pull them if I found them being passed from hand to hand. They lasted about 45 minutes. And yes, I did pull them. It was really to bad, they were fun carvings.

Maiden

Thanks for the thorough explanation. It confirmed what I had thought.

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2) If I debut a carving at an event and share it with others, but intend to plant it soon, I count it as a traditional and they get to count it as such as well.

Do you actually hide #2 at the event? Or do they just stamp in?

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4) If I bring a day only box to an event and HIDE IT so that finders actually do some work, then I count it as a traditional plant and they can get count it as a traditional find.

This type would be my preference -- I am guessing that they pass it around despite your instructions in the box. How does it actually make it back to the group in the first place? Do they not stamp in at the hiding site? I suppose that the site could easily be disclosed on an event day if they stayed right there during the event. What a shame that it doesn't just work smoothly.

Thanks again for the clarification.
Mama Cache

MAN!!! I missed Demented Valentines! Darn Snow!

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2) If I debut a carving at an event and share it with others, but intend to plant it soon, I count it as a traditional and they get to count it as such as well.

Do you actually hide #2 at the event? Or do they just stamp in?

In this case, most of these stamps tend to be my adult ones. I share them to get people psyched up about asking for the WOM clues. I don't hide these at the event though as I am afraid to lose them. Heck, I lost 4 Demented Valentines at SUN from people who mistakenly took them home so I sure don't want it to happen with adult boxes. I don't want adult boxes to be found by children so I don't hide them at events. People have to ask for these.

Quote

4) If I bring a day only box to an event and HIDE IT so that finders actually do some work, then I count it as a traditional plant and they can get count it as a traditional find.

This type would be my preference -- I am guessing that they pass it around despite your instructions in the box. How does it actually make it back to the group in the first place? Do they not stamp in at the hiding site? I suppose that the site could easily be disclosed on an event day if they stayed right there during the event. What a shame that it doesn't just work smoothly.

People rarely stamp in at the hiding place. Most bring it back to a table to stamp in..which is where the problem starts..it just gets passed around. Most people are too lazy to put it back in it's hiding place. It's easier just to give it to someone else and make THEM put it back. But it rarely gets put back. Sigh. To complicate things...there were a great many tabletop boxes at Salmon Falls. Despite being hidden in plain sight in funky containers, it was too easy to mix them up with my planted/hidden boxes, so things got confusing. Oh well. Like I said, I doubt I will hide anymore traditional boxes like this. I will just make them event boxes and people will have to deal with not adding to their count.

LW PhD
"Nice Counts"

Perish the thought


of Lock Wench dont hiding boxes traditionally
or them not counting as finds...

They are truly some of my fav stamps ever :)

Well you can still enjoy them without counting them...right? :)

LW PhD
"Nice Counts"

again I missed good boxes in NH... *stomping feet and pouting* Won't you come and share your treasures in Maine LW? : ) *Begging and pleading*

Actually, a couple of Maine boxers are walking around with my stamps. NaturePosse has "Loose String" and Koko has a stamp I think he is saving for an event.....

I WANTED to plant in Maine while I was there but the Nor'easter ice storm ruined any hopes of outdoor boxing!

LW PhD
"Nice Counts"

You can always come to the gathering in April *hint, hint*

I keep trying... but you're just not buying : )